Gujarat cops kept in dark about bookies arrest

Strange though it may sound, the Gujarat police had absolutely no inkling about the operation to arrest the bookies in the state.

The entire operation to arrest the seven bookies were carried out by the Delhi-Mumbai police, without keeping their Gujarat counterparts in the loop.

"We were not aware about any plan in this connection. Normally, in operations like these, police from other states share information or seek our help. But this time, it didn't happen," a senior police official from Ahmedabad said.

The reasons, however, are not far to seek.

"Many police officials in Gujarat, particularly at the lower levels, work hand in glove with the bookies," a senior police official, who served in the state intelligence bureau said, adding that their nexus is not a hidden secret any more.

Sources said the central IB had given names of around 50 top bookies and agents running cricket betting syndicates to the local police but they failed to act on them.

Though the Gujarat police carried out almost 200 raids at various places in the state, only foot soldiers and small time bookies were nabbed.

Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Surat, Banaskantha and Bhavnagar are said to be the main betting centres and the bookies have a well-organised local and international level network.

“We have directed the CID (crime) and crime branch of Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Surat and district SPs to keep an eye on betting activities in the state,” additional chief secretary (home) SK Nanda said after the Delhi police busted the scam.

According to sources, the Delhi-Mumbai police are likely to arrest a few more bookies in Ahmedabad.